President William Ruto speaking at a past event / FILE
President William Ruto has announced that the modernisation of Bomas of Kenya will begin in two weeks.
The upgrade will now see the national cultural heritage facility named Bomas International Convention Complex.
The president announced this during a cabinet meeting held at State House on Tuesday. In a cabinet despatch, Ruto said the project aims to redefine Bomas's look, feel, and purpose.
He said this will position the Convention Complex as a premier destination for global events.
“The President announced that construction of the Bomas International Convention Complex will begin in two weeks, marking a major milestone in the government’s plan to transform the facility into a world-class conferencing hub,” the despatch read in part.
On Monday, the government refuted claims that Bomas had been sold to a Turkish national.
This followed allegations by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Gender and Culture Principal Secretary Ummi Bashir dismissed the allegations, stating that Bomas remains a government-owned facility.
“The State Department categorically refutes this allegation. Bomas of Kenya has not been sold to anyone,” Bashir said.
According to the PS, Bomas of Kenya was placed under the State Department for Culture, the Arts, and Heritage through an Executive Order of Government No 2 of 2023 and therefore she was shocked by the allegations made by the former DP.
She, however, clarified that the government is currently developing the Bomas International Convention Complex (BICC), a project approved by the Cabinet on August 8, 2023.
The cabinet memorandum was submitted by then Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Peninah Malonza.
“To position Kenya as the destination of choice for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism and to cement her place as a diplomatic and commercial hub, Cabinet approved the establishment of the Bomas International Convention Centre (BICC),” the Cabinet Despatch of Agust 8, 2023 reads.
The initiative to refurbish the facility, Bashir disclosed, is not new and has been under consideration for the past 10 years in a bid to transform it into a world-class conferencing facility.
She said Bomas of Kenya has a valid title deed issued in 1971, which remains in government custody.
"The development of BICC is part of a broader vision to enhance Bomas, making it a premier conferencing destination in the region," she added.
